Ofsted has published their latest findings for Herefordshire Children’s Services in a report today.
The Ofsted letter details the results of Herefordshire’s seventh and final monitoring visit that took place on 17 and 18 June 2025. The focus of the inspection centred around the quality of matching, placement and decision-making for children in care and the experiences and progress of children in care.
The inspection is part of a series of visits put in place following the service being judged inadequate in July 2022.
Headlines from the report noted that ‘The quality of practice for children in care in Herefordshire has improved at pace since the last monitoring visit’ and ‘The appointment of a new Interim Director of Children’s Services, leaders and senior managers have worked with a fresh momentum and conviction to create the conditions for social work to flourish. This is having a positive impact for children in care’ and ‘consistently stronger child focused practice is improving the experience and outcomes for children in care in Herefordshire.’
Inspectors found that social workers demonstrate thoughtful and purposeful direct work with children to understand their experiences and views. They take time to build trusting relationships with children, which enables them to make progress.
Inspectors also found that, regular looked after children reviews and updated assessments help practitioners to understand and meet children’s needs. Children are made aware of their right to an advocate, and they are supported to take up this offer.
The report noted, when there are concerns about children’s wellbeing or safety, timely and effective action is taken to address this and that multi-agency threshold decision-making and agreements result in effective action to safeguard these children.
The placement and care of children who are separated from their families and seeking asylum has improved and children receive a sensitive and timely response.
Children’s health needs are well met, and children and young people receive medical support when needed. The emotional wellbeing of children is well considered and children in care are supported to improve their educational attainment. In short, the report recognised “children in care make progress.”
Children benefit from stable placements and carers who meet their needs. Careful consideration is given to find the right placement, including keeping brothers and sisters together when it is in their best interest. Also, when in their best interests, early consideration and effective support is provided to enable potential family members to care for children. This means many children are well cared for within their family or wider network.
Performance management reporting systems and quality assurance are increasingly robust, with work continuing to strengthen them further. Quality assurance activity is now well embedded, which enables stronger oversight and timely intervention.
Inspectors found that workforce stability has improved. There is now a much higher proportion of permanent social workers, which means most children in care have had the same social worker over the last year.
Ofsted also noted that, social workers consistently speak well of senior managers and are positive about the changes made to improve the service with an increasingly strong learning culture embedded across the organisation.
The report identifies a few areas where focused work is needed, and this feedback will be used proactively to help guide Herefordshire children’s services improvement programme.
Councillor Ivan Powell, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said:
“We’re really pleased this report recognises the significantly improved quality of practice for children in care in Herefordshire. The service has improved at pace over the past 12 months. We have worked together to create the conditions for social work to flourish and this is having a positive impact on our care experienced children.
“The Herefordshire Children’s Services and Partnership Improvement Plan (Phase 3) will be presented to council’s cabinet today for endorsement and this will guide us on the next steps of our improvement programme. The plan recognises the importance of working with children, young people and their families, hearing their views and supporting parents and carers to care for their own children well. It also includes the development and implementation of the government’s Families First Programme, as our children’s services staff transition to working with partners within local communities to provide early family help for those in need.”
Deborah McMillan, Department for Education, Children’s Commissioner, added:
“Significant progress has been made both in the quality of leadership and pace of operational delivery in line with the Improvement Plan, and this improvement has been recognised by the inspectorate. Importantly, the quality of practice for children growing up in care has improved at pace. The focus on supporting families and children by providing the right help at the right time, and building meaningful, trusting relationships is having a positive impact.”
You can view a full copy of the Ofsted report here.